Trans Baviaans 2016

It was time for Trans Baviaans number 2. I have a tendency of doing races and then not being able to stay away. Instead of venturing into new races I keep on doing the same ones over and over as I just can’t stand the thought of missing out. The same applies to Trans Baviaans. After number 2, there’s no way I’m not going back again. In 2016, I again had a blast!

We were lucky to find a spot to stay 400 metres from the start at Jumper’s Place. An interesting spot with a unique vibe, but above all else, conveniently close to the registration and start that made all the logistics on Saturday morning exceptionally easy. The last thing you want to do before a 230 km ride is worry about logistics before you start. Having the families there also just made things so much easier.

We started toward the back of the field as the entry for the two man teams to the start chute was much more congested than the chute for the three and four man teams. We rolled off at 10 AM sharp in Willowmore and there was no better way to start this journey than to roll past our families cheering us on at the start. We would see them on the flipside… 230 kilometres later in Jeffreys Bay.

As we exited the town we started making our way up the field. Keeping a gradual pace we started moving passed some slower riders. It was important to find a decent bunch for the first 100 kilometers of the ride. This is the flat and fast part of the route and where you can make some good time, with “minimal” effort, provided you can share the workload. We started sitting on some wheels and making on our way to some faster bunches in the first 30 kilometers but then, a chap by the name of Brian came by. He sat on the front of our bunch for kilometres on end, pulling us constantly at over 40km/h. This guy was strong like an ox and just what we needed for the first half of the race, especially since we now also had a minor headwind to contend with. The first 50 kilometres of the race just flew by, but unfortunately we lost Brian at the first checkpoint at Vero’s Restaurant. After grabbing a quick roosterkoek we hit the road again looking for some groups to join. We stopped briefly again shortly after the waterpoint for Erno to take off his jacket. He was overheating and it looked as if he was taking some strain. I decided not to ask too much about it as slowing down now wasn’t much of an option. We still had to make time by going as fast as possible with as little effort as possible.

As we got going again we joined a decent group that helped us keep a steady pace towards checkpoint 2. This section between kilometres 50 and 100 were exceptionally hard. Yes, it was flat and fast but the road surface had deteriorated significantly from last year and the corrugations made it hard as nails. Even with a dual-suspension bike the road surface took its toll and made this section, although breathtakingly beautiful, hard and arduous. Still, our bunch started growing as we made our way to checkpoint 2 as we picked up more and more groups along the way. About 8km from the checkpoint 2 my chain popped off, which was perhaps a sign of things to come… I pulled over quickly to put my chain back. I knew I had to hurry as losing the bunch is one thing, but losing your partner is a bit of a bigger issue… especially since there are no reception in the Baviaans. After a brief struggle to get the chain back, as I was about to get back on the bike I saw Erno coming through. He had already dropped from the bunch and it was clear that he was taking some strain. Good thing my chain dropped, because I never saw him dropping back and thought he was still sitting somewhere in the big bunch of riders.

We made our way, albeit a bit slower, to checkpoint 2. We were sitting in bunches for 96 of the first 104 kilometres so this was by no means a train smash. Things were still going according to plan, or so we thought. The next moment disaster struck. A loud clack emanated from my rear wheel and suddenly I was pedalling air. Did my chain break? It didn’t unfortunately… My freewheel body on my rear hub broke. The rear wheel no longer turned when I pedalled, so there was only one solution. A battling Erno would have to pull me. Luckily this happened about 4km from the checkpoint, so his misery was short lived.

I was lucky that there was a mechanic at the checkpoint who, 35 odd minutes later, managed to fix my wheel and send me on my merry way. Erno was ready to pack it up and take the truck back with me, but Norman the mechanic sent those hopes packing. We had a lengthy delay which jeopardised our planned riding times severely, but for now I was grateful that I was able to continue with time being the least of my worries. We had hoped to descent Bergplaas in daylight still, but now that didn’t seem possible anymore. Still, if we could reach Bergplaas by sunset it would be a great result given the delay. Bergplaas is the most significant part of the race as it’s the checkpoint passed the halfway mark and on top of the biggest climb of the entire race. A climb aptly named “M.A.C”, short for Mother of All Climbs. It’s a 10km long mountain pass winding its way to the Bergplaas at checkpoint 4.

When we left checkpoint 3 reaching Bergplaas before sunset was definitely on and we pushed on, Erno battling away, to reach it. We reached the foot of this might climb with the sun still perched in the sky and started climbing the beast. The climb is a monster but the 2km drag on top of the climb to the checkpoint is almost worse. We made it to Bergplaas just as night fell and grabbed some bread and soup before tackling the last 90 kilometres. We descended the Big Dipper (aka the Bergplaas descent) by bike light in pitch black night and made our way to checkpoint 5. Roughly 30 kilometres down the road. We were going at a steady pace and was making some good time. Erno has been battling the whole day but was still going. We were still looking good for a decent time despite my delay and a battered and bruised team mate.

The chip rolls at Checkpoint 5, which was now at a new venue a little further down the road, was the best I ever had. Man, I can still taste those crispy chips on a fresh roll. We filled up and got back at it. We knew that we were now less than 50 kilometres out with the dreaded Never-Ender Climb looming. Never-Ender is not steep, but a constant uphill drag for 13 kilometres. It doesn’t sound that bad, but with 190 kilometres in your legs it’s a killer. Erno, found himself in a deep dark place on the climb and after trying some small talk I decided to let him be and ride just ahead of him for him to keep the pedals turning. I knew that every ounce of his being was going into keeping the pedals turning over and the small talk wasn’t helping. We we’re going slowly as Erno was battling the demons, but we were going and that was what was important. Checkpoint 6 on top of Never-Ender and checkpoint 7 is very close together and after a quick jaffel at checkpoint 7 we were pushing on home. Erno had made it over Never-Ender and had found some energy reserves to pick up the pace towards the end. With about 20 kilometres left to go his bike light died and we ended up sharing my light.

The singletrack section right before the end was still included but drier and firmer than last year. It rode much better and made the final few kilometres much better than what we experienced in our first attempt at the Trans Baviaans, even if we did just have one light between us now. Twenty five minutes passed midnight we rolled into the Fountains Mall in Jeffreys Bay. We had done it! Again! And, despite a significant delay due to my mechanical issue and Erno having a rough day, 15 minutes faster than we did in 2015. I was stoked with the result. Trans Baviaans, albeit spectacularly scenic, is a demanding event where you push your body to places you don’t go very often. What an amazing display of what the human mind and body is capable of. I’m so proud to have done two and will definitely be going back for more. Special place, special race with special people and special support. Sounds like a done deal, doesn’t it.